How Did We Get Here?
Tue, Dec 12, 2010
by peyrebrune
In a recent post, Drew highlights a remark by author Joseph Horowitz suggesting that musicians should no longer expect that orchestras owe them a living wage, i.e., a full-time salary. I thought I would use my brief stint as a guest blogger to elaborate on some of the history that led us to today’s paradigm
Never Let A Good Crisis Go To Waste
Mon, Dec 12, 2010
I arrived at my new job on June 1, 2008, ready to delve into the standard industry-wide issues plaguing Orchestra Iowa: plummeting ticket sales, strained relations with the musicians, immense debt, and no cash to pay bills. Although I had spent several months before my arrival creating a first year outline, that plan literally got
Building Concert Halls, Part 3: How to ensure success
Fri, Dec 12, 2010
In contrast to the “outside in approach” discussed in my last installment, great concert hall design starts with accommodating the essential requirements of both performers and audience, then moving outward in its architectural expression for support areas and public spaces….an “inside out approach”. There is an old expression: “form follows function” which today’s designers of
Building Concert Halls, Part 2: Well-worn paths to failure
Thu, Dec 12, 2010
Performing arts venues are built for a variety of reasons, artistic, social, and political. Their operational success can often be predicted by how these reasons are prioritized. Halls built primarily for political reasons such as prestige and civic pride sometimes overlook basic needs and desires of performers and audiences in favor of some grand architectural
Building Concert Halls, Part 1: What makes a great concert hall?
Wed, Dec 12, 2010
In 2002 my company, Akustiks, was hired to design a new concert hall for the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra had been playing for many years in a large multi-purpose theater under the direction of Maestro Kenneth Schermerhorn. Increasing difficulties in scheduling the theater to accommodate what was becoming a full-time orchestra in part led
Here It Is, Your Moment Of Holiday Zen
Tue, Dec 12, 2010
by Drew McManus
You know it, you love, it, and it just isn’t the holiday season without it: The Messiah Organist On Crack. If this holiday classic is new to you, give it moment and hang in there until the end; I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s 0:43 of unfiltered Messiah goodness. [audio:hownottoendtheholidayseason.mp3]
Heading To Nepal
Mon, Dec 12, 2010
by Drew McManus
From December 13 – 23 I’ll be in Kathmandu, Nepal in conjunction with my work as an executive board member of the HEARTbeats Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization which strives to help children in need harness the power of music to better cope with, and recover from, the extreme challenges of poverty and conflict. As
A Little Bankruptcy Satire
Fri, Dec 12, 2010
by Drew McManus
So I’m sound asleep last Monday only to be jolted awake by a phone call at 2:43am. I reach a hand out from under the covers and snatch the receiver. I manage to get the word “hello” out while simultaneously wondering if the cats will stay on the bed through the late night interruption. On
Special Mid-Day Update: News From Detroit
Thu, Dec 12, 2010
by Drew McManus
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) released a bevy of PR content this afternoon following today’s annual meeting. There aren’t any surprises but if there are any quick and dirty key points to take away from the DSO’s meeting recap and a letter from the DSO Executive Committee to the Board it is this: we have
Riots And Grand Resignations
Thu, Dec 12, 2010
by Drew McManus
Here in the US, arts cuts play out far too often as stereotypical management vs. labor dramas. But in Europe, they take a different approach to dealing with perceived bean-counting decision making. Two items of note, from Estonia and Italy, are worth particular attention…
